Bihar: Subsidized Certified Sugarcane Seeds and Support for Farmers Announced for 2024-25
Chirag Gupta
Patna: The Bihar government has announced the distribution of 6 lakh 20 thousand quintals of certified sugarcane seeds for the year 2024-25, with general farmers receiving a subsidy of Rs 210 per quintal and scheduled caste and tribe farmers receiving Rs 240 per quintal. This subsidy will be directly credited to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. For the first time, the implementation of this scheme will be done through the online Ken Care software.
Under the Chief Minister Sugarcane Development Scheme, farmers and producers will receive a grant of Rs 60,000 per hectare for the production of 1 lakh 92 thousand 500 quintals of foundation seed. Additionally, for producing the 6 lakh 20 thousand quintals of certified seed, seed-producing farmers will be incentivized with Rs 50 per quintal. This financial support aims to bolster the sugarcane production capacity within the state.
The state government will also provide assistance to farmers adopting intercropping with sugarcane at a rate of Rs 800 per acre. To combat pest and disease issues, farmers will receive support at the rate of Rs 2,500 per hectare. This comprehensive approach is designed to enhance the productivity and sustainability of sugarcane farming in Bihar.
In a bid to educate farmers about modern sugarcane production techniques, 500 training programs have been organized this year, benefiting around 20,000 farmers. Moreover, 12 state-level sugarcane farmer seminars are scheduled, aiming to train an additional 2,400 sugarcane farmers. The government has also facilitated exposure visits for farmers to major sugarcane establishments, benefiting 400 participants this year.
Principal Secretary Narmadeshwar Lal provided details about the department’s key initiative, the Sugarcane Mechanization Scheme, which is set to be implemented for the first time in the state this financial year. This scheme will provide agricultural machinery at subsidized rates, reducing the cost of sugarcane farming and increasing net income for farmers.
The Ken Care software, developed with the support of NIC, aims to bring transparency to all departmental schemes, with a launch date set for 01 October 2024. This portal is expected to enhance the achievement of the scheme’s objectives.
In addition, the Directorate has several vacant posts, including 220 approved positions for Jan Sevaks, with only 11 currently filled, leaving 209 vacancies. The qualifications for these posts vary, with Jan Sevaks requiring an Intermediate Mathematics pass, Seed Production Assistants and Dynamic Employees needing an Intermediate pass, Lower Division Clerks also requiring an Intermediate pass, and Office Peons needing a Matriculation pass. Requisitions for appointments have been sent to the General Administration Department for these positions. The department is also in the process of forming rosters for the Stenographer and Driver roles, which have 3 and 17 vacancies, respectively, as per departmental requirements.
